Watching the Eruptions: Volcano Observatories Around the World

Hawaii Volcano Observatory

2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. From the edge of the crater at Kilauea, geologists have been monitoring every move that the volcano (along with Mauna Loa and Loihi) have made over the past century. Today, everyone can watch the volcano in action, thanks to the multitude of webcams and other real-time monitoring instruments that stream data worldwide as the eruption happens. HVO is one of 5 volcano observatories in the United States and many countries worldwide run observatories to watch over the volcanoes that could affect their people or lands. Check out this collection of the USGS volcano observatories plus some other observatories that keep watch on the world's volcanoes.

Alaska Volcano Observatory

No other US volcano observatory has so many volcanoes under their watch - but the Alaska Volcano Observatory (run by the USGS and University of Alaska Fairbanks) covers the entire Aleutian chain along with other volcanoes in Alaska. They also keep a long-distance eye on volcanoes in Kamchatka with help from KVERT because the northern Pacific is a well-traveled aircraft route from North America and Europe to Asia. There are a plethora of webcams and webicorders that watch some of the more active Alaskan volcanoes, such as Veniaminof, Augustine, Redoubt and Iliamna - they even have an interactive map to help you find the real-time data for any of the wired volcanoes of the great north.

Image: The summit region of Iliamna, with steaming fumaroles, seen in September 2010. AVO/USGS by Tina Neal

Osservatorio Etneo - INGV Catania

There are many other volcano observatories all over the world - including one that watches every blip from Sicily's Etna, the Osservatorio Etneo. The observatory offers two flavors of webcams - both normal and IR cameras that allow people to see the action at Etna even when seeing conditions aren't optimal. The observatory also has webcams pointed at Stromboli and Vulcano, two other active volcanoes in the Aeolian Islands.

INGEOMINAS Pasto

Some volcano observatories are there to watch an active volcano that isn't a large threat to the local people (see Kilauea). Some, however, are there because of the significant threat posed by the nearby volcano - and that is the case for the Volcano Observatory in Pasto, Colombia run by INGEOMINAS that watches over Galeras (along with Azufral, Cumbal and Dona Juana). Galeras lies less than 10 km from downtown Pasto, so keeping a close watch on the rumblings at the volcano is importance as to evacuation people when signs of a new eruption appear. Galeras has been very active over the past decade, so if you watch the webcam you might catch the volcano in action.

Observatorio Vulcanológico de la Universidad de Colima

One of the most active volcanoes of Mexico in Colima, located on the western side of the country. It is watched by the Observatorio Vulcanológico de la Universidad de Colima, run by the University of Colima. This observatory helps coordinate with CENAPRED and Sistema Estatal de Protección Civil for any potential hazards related to the activity at Colima (also known as Volcan de Fuego de Colima). Webcams watch the volcano as well, so you can see what is happening as well.

Image: A view of Colima in Mexico in 2008 - lava flows from the summit vent are clearly seen on the sunlit slopes. Ani Carington/Flickr.